WO2024071435A1

WO2024071435A1 - Management device for refrigeration cycle device

Info

Publication number: WO2024071435A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/035943
Authority: WO
Inventors: 学吉見
Original assignee: ダイキン工業株式会社
Priority date: 2022-09-30
Filing date: 2023-10-02
Publication date: 2024-04-04
Also published as: JP2024052655A

Abstract

A management device (100) for a refrigeration cycle device is provided with a management unit (40). The management unit (40) monitors an energization state of the refrigeration cycle device (10). The management unit (40) notifies a user if it is determined that energization of the refrigeration cycle device (10) has been interrupted.

Description

Refrigeration cycle device management device

　Related to management devices for refrigeration cycle equipment.

In recent years, from the viewpoint of environmental protection, legal regulations regarding refrigerant leak detection systems for refrigeration cycle equipment using continuous remote monitoring have been established. Some regulations have system requirements regarding refrigerant detection frequency and refrigerant detection accuracy. The detection frequency requirement, for example, requires that refrigerant leak detection be performed at least once a day and that the detection results be kept for a certain period of time. The detection accuracy requirement, for example, requires that a refrigerant leak be detected from a refrigeration cycle equipment filled with a specified amount of refrigerant under specified operating conditions before the refrigerant amount decreases by a specified amount. Therefore, a refrigerant leak detection system that satisfies the system requirements of these legal regulations and enables practical operation has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 (Patent Publication No. 6791429) and Patent Document 2 (Patent Publication No. 2021-156528) describe a system in which the operating data of a refrigeration cycle equipment acquired by a remote monitoring device is input into a prediction model using machine learning or regression equations, and a refrigerant leak is determined from the output refrigerant amount prediction value held by the refrigeration cycle equipment.

The refrigerant leak detection systems disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 meet the detection accuracy requirements of the above legal regulations, but do not necessarily meet the requirements regarding detection frequency. For example, when the refrigeration cycle equipment is installed in an empty tenement building or during the spring and fall periods when there is no air conditioning load, the administrator may shut off the main power supply to the equipment. Under such circumstances, even if the equipment is connected to a remote monitoring device and kept in a constant monitoring state, it is impossible to perform leak detection at least once a day as stipulated by the legal regulations. In addition, even if the refrigeration cycle equipment connected to the remote monitoring device is operating normally, it may not be possible to transmit operating data or the results of refrigerant leak detection performed on-site to the remote monitoring device due to communication problems. Thus, various problems regarding the detection frequency requirements are expected to occur during actual operation, but Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not take such problems into consideration.

The management device for a refrigeration cycle device according to the first aspect includes a management unit. The management unit monitors the power supply state to the refrigeration cycle device. When the management unit determines that the power supply to the refrigeration cycle device has been cut off, it notifies the user.

The management device for the refrigeration cycle device of the second aspect is the management device of the first aspect, and the notification is sent to the user's information device.

The management device for the refrigeration cycle device of the third aspect is the management device of the first aspect, and the notification is given by issuing a warning to the user by sound, light, or display.

The management device of the refrigeration cycle device of the fourth aspect is any one of the management devices of the first aspect to the third aspect, and further includes a current detection device. The current detection device has its own power source. The management unit and the current detection device are built into or external to the refrigeration cycle device.

The management device for a refrigeration cycle device of a fifth aspect is any one of the management devices of the first aspect to the third aspect, further comprising a current flow detection device. The current flow detection device has its own power source. The management unit is installed outside the refrigeration cycle device. The current flow detection device is built into or attached externally to the refrigeration cycle device. The current flow detection device is connected to the management unit by a communication line. When the current flow detection device detects that the current flow has been cut off, it sends a notification to the management unit.

The management device for a refrigeration cycle device of the sixth aspect is any one of the management devices of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, in which the management unit is connected to the refrigeration cycle device by a communication line. The management unit is installed outside the refrigeration cycle device. The management unit determines that the power supply to the refrigeration cycle device has been cut off based on the fact that no signal is received from the refrigeration cycle device.

The seventh aspect of the management device for a refrigeration cycle device is the fifth aspect of the management device, further comprising a peripheral device connected to the refrigeration cycle device. The current detection device is built into or externally attached to the peripheral device.

The management device for the refrigeration cycle device of the eighth aspect is the management device of the seventh aspect, and the peripheral device is a communication adapter for transmitting operation data of the refrigeration cycle device to an external storage device.

The management device for a refrigeration cycle device of a ninth aspect is any one of the management devices of the first aspect to the eighth aspect, and further includes a fault detection unit. When the refrigeration cycle device is in fault detection operation, the fault detection unit transmits a notification to the management unit to notify the user that the fault detection operation is in progress.

The management device for a refrigeration cycle device of a tenth aspect is any one of the management devices of the first aspect to the eighth aspect, and further includes a fault detection unit. When a fault detection operation scheduled by the refrigeration cycle device is on standby and has not yet been performed, the fault detection unit transmits a notification to the management unit to notify the user that the scheduled fault detection operation has not yet been performed.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a modified example.

Below, we will explain the management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle device according to one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

(1) Overall Configuration of the Management Device for the Refrigeration Cycle Apparatus As shown in Fig. 1, the management device 100 for the refrigeration cycle apparatus is a device for managing the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 installed in a property 90. The management device 100 for the refrigeration cycle apparatus is a system for detecting the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 and notifying a user. Here, the user includes a person who actually uses the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 in the property 90 and an equipment manager who manages the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 in or outside the property 90.

The management device 100 for the refrigeration cycle device is mainly composed of the refrigeration cycle device 10, the peripheral device 20, the current detection device 30, the management unit 40, and the fault detection unit 41.

The refrigeration cycle device management device 100 monitors the power supply state to the refrigeration cycle device 10. When the refrigeration cycle device management device 100 determines that power supply to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off, it notifies the user.

The management device 100 of the refrigeration cycle device notifies the user of the refrigerant leak detection operation status. For example, the refrigerant leak detection operation status is when the refrigerant leak detection operation is in progress and when the refrigerant leak detection operation is scheduled to be started and is on standby.

The following describes each component included in the management device 100 for the refrigeration cycle device.

(2) Refrigeration cycle device The refrigeration cycle device 10 comprises one outdoor unit (not shown) and one indoor unit (not shown). The indoor unit is installed in a space to be air-conditioned within the property 90. The refrigeration cycle device 10 may comprise a plurality of outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected by a dedicated line and a refrigerant piping.

The refrigeration cycle device 10 is, for example, an air conditioning device. The refrigeration cycle device 10 as a whole constitutes a refrigerant circuit that is made up of a compressor, a heat exchanger, etc. (not shown).

A remote control (not shown) that accepts operation inputs for each indoor unit is separately attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The remote control has an input section and a display section. The input section accepts control commands for each indoor unit. The display section displays the operating status of each indoor unit. The operating status displayed on the display section of the remote control includes information indicating whether the unit is in cooling operation, in heating operation, waiting for refrigerant leak detection operation, in refrigerant leak detection operation, or refrigerant leak detection operation has been performed, as well as information such as the set temperature, air volume, and wind direction. In other words, the remote control also functions as a display section of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 that displays various information about the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10.

A plurality of refrigeration cycle devices 10 may be installed in one property 90. In addition, a plurality of refrigeration cycle devices 10 may be managed simultaneously by the same management device 100.

(3) Peripheral Device The peripheral device 20 is connected to one refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The peripheral device 20 is externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. Here, the term "externally attached" includes not only a direct wired connection, but also a connection via a communication line, whether wireless or wired.

The peripheral device 20 may be connected to either the indoor unit or the outdoor unit, or to both. If connected to the indoor unit, the peripheral device 20 is installed in the same space as the indoor unit or in an adjacent space.

The peripheral device 20 is connected to a router (not shown). The connection between the peripheral device 20 and the router includes a direct wired connection as well as a connection via a communication line, whether wireless or wired. An example of a wireless means is Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The peripheral device 20 connects the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 and the management unit 40 via itself and the router.

The peripheral device 20 is, for example, a communication adapter. The communication adapter is a device that connects to the control board of the refrigeration cycle device 10, directly acquires the operation data of the refrigeration cycle device 10, and transmits it to an external storage device (not shown). Although not limited thereto, the operation data of the refrigeration cycle device 10 includes, for example, the temperature/pressure of the refrigerant measured by sensors (not shown) at various locations in the refrigerant circuit, the rotation speed of the inverter control motor (not shown) of the compressor of the outdoor unit, the opening degree of the expansion valve of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, etc. The communication adapter is, for example, a wireless LAN adapter. The wireless LAN adapter performs wireless communication with a router.

(4) Electricity Flow Detection Device The electricity flow detection device 30 is built in the peripheral device 20. In other words, the electricity flow detection device 30 is attached externally to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10.

The current flow detection device 30 is connected to the management unit 40 via a router. The connection between the current flow detection device 30 and the management unit 40 via the router includes a direct wired connection as well as a connection via a communication line, whether wireless or wired.

The current flow detection device 30 has a function of detecting the current flow state of the refrigeration cycle device 10. When the current flow detection device 30 determines that the current flow to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off, it transmits a signal to the management unit 40 to notify the power cut off. There are no particular limitations on the means for determining that the current flow to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off, but examples are as follows.

The current flow detection device 30 has its own power source. The independent power source is, for example, a battery or a separate power source. Normally, the current flow detection device 30 built into the peripheral device 20 is electrically connected to the refrigeration cycle device 10 and is supplied with electricity from the refrigeration cycle device 10. On the other hand, if the supply of electricity from the refrigeration cycle device 10 is stopped because a breaker trips or the power plug of the refrigeration cycle device 10 is removed from the outlet, the current flow detection device 30 determines that the power to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off by its own power source based on the stoppage of the power supply. Furthermore, the current flow detection device 30 notifies the management unit 40 by sending a signal notifying the power cut via a router using its own power source.

(5) Management Unit The management unit 40 is installed outside the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. In other words, the management unit 40 is externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The term "externally attached" includes a state in which the management unit 40 is directly connected by a wire, as well as a state in which the management unit 40 is connected via a communication line, whether wireless or wired.

In this embodiment, the management unit 40 is connected to the refrigeration cycle device 10 via a router and peripheral devices 20. The management unit 40 is located remotely from the refrigeration cycle device 10. The management unit 40 is a server provided in a remote monitoring center (not shown) located remotely from the property 90. The management unit 40 can be connected to the current detection device 30 via the peripheral devices 20.

The management unit 40 monitors the power supply state to the refrigeration cycle device 10, and notifies the user when it determines that power supply to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off.

The method for determining that power to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, as follows.

For example, the current detection device 30 is equipped with a sensor capable of detecting the current state of the refrigeration cycle device 10, and when the sensor determines that the current to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off, it notifies the management unit 40 via its own power source. Based on the notification from the management unit 40, the management unit 40 determines that the current to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off.

The notification is sent, for example, to the user's information device 50. The type of information device 50 is not particularly limited, but examples include a smartphone, a wearable device, a personal computer, and a tablet. Examples of wearable devices include wristband-type or watch-type devices worn on the arm, headband-type or eyeglass-type devices worn on the head, and clothing-type devices worn on the body.

(6) Fault Detection Unit The fault detection unit 41 is externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. "Externally attached" includes a state in which it is directly connected by wire, as well as a state in which it is connected via a communication line, whether wireless or wired. The fault detection unit 41 is connected to the management unit 40, for example. Note that the fault detection unit 41 is not shown in Figs. 2 to 9.

The fault detection unit 41 detects various faults from the operating data of the refrigeration cycle device 10. For example, various faults include the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage. Note that the detection content of the fault detection unit 41 may be limited to refrigerant leakage.

The fault detection unit 41 determines whether or not there is a refrigerant leak from the normal operation data of the refrigeration cycle device 10. In detail, if the normal operation time of the refrigeration cycle device 10 is short, or if the refrigeration cycle device 10 is continuously stopped and a refrigerant leak cannot be determined, the fault detection unit 41 commands the refrigeration cycle device 10 to perform a refrigerant leak detection operation and determines whether or not there is a refrigerant leak. The fault detection unit 41 notifies the user via the management unit 40 of the result of the refrigerant leak determination and the status of the refrigerant leak detection (refrigerant leak detection operation waiting, refrigerant leak detection operation in progress, or refrigerant leak detection operation completed).

The notification may be sent, for example, to the user's information device 50. The notification may also be sent to the refrigeration cycle device 10 and displayed on the display unit of the remote control.

(7) Processing Flow Next, a processing flow of the management device 100 for the refrigeration cycle apparatus will be described.

The current flow detection device 30 is connected to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The current flow detection device 30 is supplied with electricity from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. When the breaker of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 trips, or the power plug of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is unplugged from the outlet, power to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 from the power source is cut off. When the supply of electricity from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is stopped as a result, the current flow detection device 30 determines that power to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 has been cut off. When this determination is made, the current flow detection device 30 uses its own power source to notify the management unit 40 that power to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 has been cut off.

The management unit 40 determines that power to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off based on the report from the power detection device 30. When this determination is made, the management unit 40 notifies the user's information device 50 that power to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off.

The user is notified that power to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off by notification from the power detection device 30 or the management unit 40. If power to the refrigeration cycle device 10 is cut off, refrigerant leakage detection cannot be performed at least once a day, as required by the aforementioned legal regulations. Furthermore, if the refrigeration cycle device uses a flammable or toxic refrigerant, the inability to perform refrigerant leakage detection increases the risk of a dangerous refrigerant leakage accident. For this reason, it is expected that the user, upon receiving the power cut notification, will quickly restore power to the refrigeration cycle device 10.

In addition, while the power is on, the failure detection unit 41 notifies the user of the status of the refrigerant leak detection operation (refrigerant leak detection operation standby, refrigerant leak detection operation in progress, refrigerant leak detection operation completed) via the management unit 40. This is a warning to prevent the user from accidentally cutting off the power.

(8) Features (8-1)
The management device 100 for the refrigeration cycle device according to the above embodiment monitors the power supply state of the refrigeration cycle device 10. The management device 100 for the refrigeration cycle device includes a management unit 40. When the management unit 40 determines that the power supply to the refrigeration cycle device 10 is cut off, the management unit 40 notifies a user.

If power to the refrigeration cycle device 10 is cut off, refrigerant leakage detection cannot be performed, resulting in a failure to conduct leakage inspections as required by legal regulations. Furthermore, if the refrigeration cycle device uses a flammable or toxic refrigerant, the inability to perform refrigerant leakage detection increases the risk of a dangerous refrigerant leakage accident. The refrigeration cycle device management device 100 according to the above embodiment can determine that power to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off and notify the user. This allows the user to know that refrigerant leakage detection has not been performed.

(8-2)
In the management device 100 for the refrigeration cycle device according to the above embodiment, notification is performed by transmitting the notification to the information device 50 of the user.

This allows the user to use the information device 50 to check, even remotely, which refrigeration cycle devices 10 are not performing refrigerant leakage detection.

(8-3)
Moreover, the management device 100 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the above embodiment further includes an electrical current detection device 30. The electrical current detection device 30 has its own power source. The management unit 40 is installed outside the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The electrical current detection device 30 is built into or attached externally to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The electrical current detection device 30 is connected to the management unit 40 via a communication line. When the electrical current detection device 30 detects that electrical current has been cut off, it transmits a notification to the management unit 40.

This allows the power detection device 30 to monitor whether power to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off.

In addition, the power supply detection device 30 can send a notification using its own power source even when the power supply to the refrigeration cycle device 10 is cut off, that is, even when no electricity is being supplied from the refrigeration cycle device 10.

(8-4)
Furthermore, the management device 100 for the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the above embodiment further includes a peripheral device 20 connected to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The current flow detection device 30 is built in the peripheral device 20.

This eliminates the need to install a dedicated device for detecting electrical current 30.

(8-5)
In the management device 100 for the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the above embodiment, the peripheral device 20 is a communication adapter for transmitting the operation data of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 to an external storage device.

Also, as shown in FIG. 9, by incorporating a current detection device 30 in the communications adapter, it is possible to provide a refrigerant leakage detection function without increasing the number of peripheral devices 20 connected to the refrigeration cycle device 10. In this case, for example, a communications adapter incorporating a current detection device 30 connected to the refrigeration cycle device 10 is further connected wirelessly or wired to a router installed indoors, and is connected via the Internet to a management unit 40 installed outside the property 90. If the power supply to the refrigeration cycle device 10 is cut off, the communications adapter notifies the management unit 40.

(8-6)
Furthermore, the management device 100 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a failure detection unit 41. When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is in a failure detection operation, the failure detection unit 41 transmits to the management unit 40 to notify the user that the failure detection operation is in progress.

This lets the user know when fault detection operation is in progress, and warns them not to inadvertently cut off power.

(8-7)
Furthermore, the management device 100 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a failure detection unit 41. When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is on standby and has not yet performed a scheduled failure detection operation, the failure detection unit 41 transmits to the management unit 40 to notify the user that the scheduled failure detection operation has not been performed.

(9) Modifications (9-1) Modification A
In the above embodiment, the current detection device 30 determines that the current supply to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is cut off, and the management unit 40 determines the power cut off based on the report from the current detection device 30, but this is not particularly limited. For example, the management unit 40 may directly determine that the current supply to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is cut off, without based on the report from the current detection device 30.

In detail, the management unit 40 is connected to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 via a communication line. The management unit 40 is installed outside the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. Based on the fact that no signal is received from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 or there is no response to a command sent from the management unit 40, the management unit 40 assumes that the power supply to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 may have been cut off in addition to a malfunction of the communication line. In this case, the manager of the management unit 40 checks with the manager of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 by email or telephone whether the power supply has been cut off. There is no particular limitation on the method of determining that the power supply to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 has been cut off. For example, when the management unit 40 manages a plurality of air conditioners 10 in the property 90, if there is a mixture of air conditioners 10 that can communicate normally and air conditioners 10 that cannot communicate, it can be determined that there is a high possibility that the communication line is normal and that the power supply to the air conditioners 10 that cannot communicate is cut off.

(9-2) Modification B
In the above embodiment, the communication adapter is an example of the peripheral device 20. However, the peripheral device 20 is not particularly limited to this. For example, the peripheral device 20 may be a centralized controller 60 as shown in FIG.

The centralized controller 60 is connected to multiple refrigeration cycle devices 10. The centralized controller 60 is connected to the refrigeration cycle devices 10 via a communication line, whether wired or wireless. The management unit 40 is installed outside the property 90 and is connected to the centralized controller 60 of the property 90 via a communication line.

The centralized controller 60 can manage the operation schedules of the multiple refrigeration cycle devices 10 and perform energy saving control. The centralized controller 60 can also display information about various malfunctions that have occurred in the multiple refrigeration cycle devices 10. The malfunction information may also include refrigerant leakage.

The centralized controller 60 aggregates information from the current detection device 30 that is built into the refrigeration cycle device 10 or is externally attached.

When the power supply to the refrigeration cycle device 10 connected to the centralized controller 60 is cut off, the built-in or external power supply detection device 30 detects it and sends the information to the centralized controller 60. The centralized controller 60 displays the obtained information and notifies the manager of the property 90, and also notifies the management unit 40 that the power supply to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off. Based on the notification from the centralized controller 60, the management unit 40 determines that the power supply to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off. When this determination is made, the management unit 40 notifies the user's information device 50 that the power supply to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off.

(9-3) Modification C
In the above modification B, the management unit 40 is installed outside the property 90, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the management unit 40 may be installed inside the property 90. In this case, the role of the management unit 40 may be assigned to the centralized controller 60.

(9-4) Modification D
In the above embodiment, the electrical current detection device 30 is built into the peripheral device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the electrical current detection device 30 may be attached externally to the peripheral device 20.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the power detection device 30 may be installed completely independent of the peripheral devices. Also, the power detection device 30 may notify a management unit located outside the property 90 of a power outage.

In this case, the current detection device 30 may have a current sensor 31. The current sensor 31 is disposed between the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 and the power source 11 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is powered by the power source 11 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. When the current sensor 31 detects that the power supply from the power source 11 to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 has been cut off, the current detection device 30 notifies the management unit 40 of the power cut. Upon receiving the notification of the power cut, the management unit 40 notifies the user's information device 50.

(9-5) Modification E
In the above embodiment, the electrical current detection device 30 is built in the peripheral device 20 externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, but is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the electrical current detection device 30 may be built in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10.

(9-6) Modification F
In the above embodiment, the power detection device 30 determines that the power supply to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is cut off, and the management unit 40 determines the power cut off based on a report from the power detection device 30, but this is not particularly limited. For example, the management unit 40 may directly determine that the power supply to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is cut off.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the management unit 40 is connected to the refrigeration cycle device 10 via a communication line. The management unit 40 is installed outside the refrigeration cycle device 10. The management unit 40 determines that the power supply to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off based on the fact that it does not receive a signal from the refrigeration cycle device 10.

In detail, the management unit 40 periodically sends a signal to the refrigeration cycle device 10, and in response to that signal, the refrigeration cycle device 10 sends a signal back to the management unit 40. The device of the refrigeration cycle device 10 that communicates with the management unit 40 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, a communication board and a control board built into the refrigeration cycle device 10.

If a signal is received from the refrigeration cycle device 10, the management unit 40 determines that power is being supplied to the refrigeration cycle device 10.

On the other hand, if no signal is received from the refrigeration cycle device 10, the management unit 40 determines that in addition to the communication line being down, it is possible that power to the refrigeration cycle device 10 has been cut off. When this determination is made, the management unit 40 notifies the user's information device 50 that power to the refrigeration cycle device 10 may have been cut off.

(9-7) Modification G
In the modified examples B and C, the management unit 40 is installed in the centralized controller 60 outside or inside the property 90, but is not limited thereto. For example, the management unit 40 may be installed inside the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10.

In this case, if the management unit 40 receives power from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, it will stop functioning when the power supply to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is cut off. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the management unit 40 is installed in a current detection device 30 that has its own power supply, and the current detection device 30 is built into the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. When the current detection device 30 detects that the current supply to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 has been cut off, it notifies the user's information device 50 of the power cut through the management unit built into it.

The means for determining that the power supply to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 has been cut off is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, as follows. The power supply detection device 30 has its own power source. Normally, the power supply detection device 30 is electrically connected to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, and is supplied with electricity from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. On the other hand, when the supply of electricity from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is stopped, the power supply detection device 30 determines that the power supply has been cut off by its own power source based on the stop of the power supply, and notifies the user via the built-in management unit 40. The means for notifying is not particularly limited, but for example, the power supply detection device 30 notifies the user's information device 50 of the power cut.

Alternatively, the notification may be made by issuing a warning to the user by sound, light, or display. In this case, the current flow detection device 30 and the management unit 40 each have the necessary devices for issuing a warning. For example, if the warning is issued by sound, the management unit 40 has a speaker. If the warning is issued by light, the current flow detection device 30 has an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and issues the warning by blinking the LED. Also, if the warning is issued by display, the current flow detection device 30 has a function to display the warning on the remote control display. This allows the user to know that the refrigerant leakage detection function has stopped at the site where the refrigeration cycle device 10 is installed.

(9-8) Modification H
In the modification G, the current-flow detection device 30 as the management unit is built in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, but is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the current-flow detection device 30 as the management unit may be externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. In addition, in the modification D, the external current-flow detection device 30 notifies the management unit 40 installed outside the property 90 of the power outage, but notifies an information device installed inside the property.

The current flow detection device 30 is installed in the same location as the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 of the property 90 or in the vicinity thereof. However, if another location is suitable for detecting current flow, it may be installed there. The current flow detection device 30 may be connected to one refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 or to multiple refrigeration cycle apparatuses 10. The current flow detection device 30 has a current sensor 31. The current sensor 31 is placed between the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 and the power source 11 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. When the current sensor 31 detects that the current flow to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 has been cut off, the current flow detection device 30 notifies the user.

(9-9) Modification I
In the above embodiment, one current detection device 30 installed in one property 90 is connected to the management unit 40, but the number of current detection devices 30 connected to the management unit 40 is not limited to this. That is, the management unit 40 may be connected to a large number of current detection devices 30 installed in a large number of properties 90. Also, a plurality of current detection devices 30 may be installed in one property 90, and the management unit 40 may be connected to the plurality of current detection devices 30 installed in the one property 90.

(9-10) Modification J
In the above embodiment, one current flow detection device 30 is connected to the management unit 40 for one refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, but the number of refrigeration cycle apparatuses 10 connected to one current flow detection device 30 is not particularly limited to this. For example, a plurality of refrigeration cycle apparatuses 10 may be connected to one current flow detection device 30.

(9-11) Modification K
In the above embodiment, the failure detection unit 41 is externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, but is not particularly limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the failure detection unit 41 may be installed inside the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10.

The above describes an embodiment of the present disclosure, but it will be understood that various modifications of form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as described in the claims. In addition, the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described using the example of detecting refrigerant leakage from a refrigeration cycle device, but the embodiment may also be for detecting other types of malfunctions that occur in a refrigeration cycle device and require daily or frequent inspection.

The management device for the refrigeration cycle equipment can notify the user that refrigerant leakage and other fault detection, which must be performed at least once a day, is in a state where it cannot be performed due to a power cut.

REFRIGERATION CYCLE APPARATUS 20 PERIPHERAL DEVICE 30 ELECTRICITY DETECTION DEVICE 40 MANAGEMENT SECTION 41 FAILURE DETECTION SECTION 50 INFORMATION DEVICE 100 MANAGEMENT DEVICE FOR THE REFRIGERATION CYCLE APPARATUS

Patent No. 6791429 JP 2021-156528 A

Claims

a management unit (40) for monitoring a power supply state to the refrigeration cycle device (10) and for notifying a user when it is determined that the power supply to the refrigeration cycle device has been cut off;
A management device (100) for a refrigeration cycle device comprising:
The notification is made by transmitting the notification to an information device (50) of the user.
The management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1.
The notification is performed by alerting the user by sound, light, or display.
The management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1.
Further comprising a current detection device (30) having its own power source,
The management unit and the current detection device are built into or externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus.
The management device for the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
Further equipped with a current detection device having its own power source,
The management unit is installed outside the refrigeration cycle apparatus,
The power supply detection device is built into or externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus, and is connected to the management unit via a communication line. When the power supply detection device detects that the power supply is interrupted, the power supply detection device transmits the power supply detection signal to the management unit to perform the notification.
The management device for the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
the management unit is connected to the refrigeration cycle apparatus via a communication line and is installed outside the refrigeration cycle apparatus, and determines that the power supply to the refrigeration cycle apparatus has been cut off based on the absence of a signal from the refrigeration cycle apparatus.
The management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The refrigeration cycle device further includes a peripheral device (20) connected to the refrigeration cycle device,
The power supply detection device is built into or externally attached to the peripheral device.
The management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 5.
The peripheral device is a communication adapter for transmitting operation data of the refrigeration cycle device to an external storage device.
The management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 7.
The refrigeration cycle device further includes a failure detection unit (41) for detecting an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle device,
When the refrigeration cycle apparatus is in a fault detection operation, the fault detection unit transmits a fault detection signal to the management unit to notify the user that the fault detection operation is in progress.
The management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The refrigeration cycle device further includes a failure detection unit (41) for detecting an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle device,
When a scheduled failure detection operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus is on standby and has not been performed, the failure detection unit transmits a notification to the management unit to notify the user that the scheduled failure detection operation has not been performed.
The management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.